Suicide awareness walk coming to Lake Odessa

Friday

Aug 22, 2014 at 1:58 PM

Proceeds to benefit Ionia County prevention efforts, AFSP

Mattie Cookmattie.cook@sentinel-standard.com

With firsthand knowledge of the toll depression can take upon individuals and families, Vicky Powelson began working with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to organize the Out of the Darkness Suicide Awareness Walk in Lake Odessa.

The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, and registration begins at 9 a.m. Afterward, there will be a raffle for items donated from organizations and businesses throughout the area. The event will be held at Swifty's Place, located at 2233 Lake St.

"I organized this walk in memory of my dad, Scott Powelson, who passed away from suicide in December 2010. He fought depression for many years before it took him for good," said Powelson.

Half of the funds raised through the walk will be directed toward education and awareness programs in Ionia County. The other half will be used by AFSP for national education, research and awareness efforts.

"I am hoping to raise enough to buy suicide resource and education kits for the guidance offices of both Lake Odessa and Ionia school districts," Powelson said.

Individuals interested in participating in the event can register on the day of the walk or online at afsp.donordrive.com by searching for events in Lake Odessa. Participants can join a team, create a team, make a donation, locate resources and register as an individual walker online.

"Mental illness is a disease like any other, but people are more scared and unwilling to admit or talk about depression or mental illness. I make it my goal to help end the stigma associated with depression and raise awareness and education about the disease," said Powelson, who suffers from depression and anxiety.

The Out of the Darkness Suicide Awareness Walk provides a way for individuals affected by suicide to connect as well as an opportunity to share resources and education.

In 2011, suicide accounted for 12.3 deaths per 100,000 in the United States, according to AFSP. The highest suicide rate in 2011 was among people 45 to 64 years of age. In 2010, AFSP estimated that the suicide rate for Michigan was 12.8 deaths per 100,000. The highest rates in the United States were in Wyoming (23.2), Alaska (23.1) and Montana (22.9). The lowest rates were found in Washington, D.C. (6.8), New York (8.0), and New Jersey (8.2). In addition, the suicide rate for men is approximately four times higher than for women. According to the AFSP, in 2011, 78.5 percent of suicide deaths were males, compared to 21.5 percent female.

"The walk is a way for those who have lost someone from suicide to connect to others, share their grief and remember. It is also used to spread awareness and educate the public about mental disease," said Powelson.